DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum vs. Magnesium AZ91D

Compare DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum vs. Magnesium AZ91D strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

Change either side

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum3D printed metal (DMLS)

Mechanical
Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser	Open in LessCAD	Open in LessCAD
Yield strength	270MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	150MPasourcetypical, 0.2% tensile yield, ambient temperature
Ultimate tensile strength	450MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	230MPasourcetypical, ambient temperature
Elongation at break	10.2%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal	3%sourcetypical, ambient temperature
Young's modulus (stiffness)	72GPasourcesame material and process, different machine maker: Renishaw RenAM 500, 30 µm, as built, horizontal (XY)	45GPasourcetypical
Density	2,670kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), EOS M 290, AlSi10Mg_030_FlexM291 (30 µm)	1,810kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	101kN·m/kg22% higher	82.9kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	27MN·m/kg8% higher	24.9MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.33sourcebase material: cast Al-Si-Mg alloy 359.0 (Al-9Si-0.6Mg, closest MIL-HDBK-5J alloy to AlSi10Mg / EN AC-43000)	0.35sourcebase material: AZ91C casting (MIL-HDBK-5J handbook physical constant)
Shear modulus	27.1GPa1.62x stiffer in shear	16.7GPa
Bulk modulus	70.6GPa	50GPa
Speed of sound	5,193m/s	4,986m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	110W/m·Ksourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal (ISO 22007-2)	72W/m·Ksourcetypical
Thermal expansion	20µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228	25µm/m·Ksourcetypical, temperature range not stated
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	100µm growth25% less	125µm growth
Specific heat	963J/kg·Ksourcebase material: cast Al-Si-Mg alloy 359.0 (MIL-HDBK-5J), at 100 °C	1,050J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	42.8mm²/s13% faster	37.9mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	13,819W/m2.21x more resistant	6,240W/m
Melting point	not sourced	470–595°Csourcemelting range
Values for	EOS Aluminium AlSi10Mg (powder 9011-0024), EOS M 290 \| 30 µm process (AlSi10Mg_FlexM291 2.01), as manufactured, horizontal; machined (turned) specimens, ISO 6892-1 B10	ELEKTRON AZ91D magnesium die-casting alloy, as cast; Magnesium Elektron datasheet 475 (7/01), typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J for AZ91C castings.

Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum stronger than Magnesium AZ91D?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is stronger: its yield strength is 270 MPa against 150 MPa for Magnesium AZ91D (1.8x).

Which is lighter, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Magnesium AZ91D?

Magnesium AZ91D is lighter: 1,810 kg/m³ against 2,670 kg/m³ for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum.

Which is stiffer, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Magnesium AZ91D?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is stiffer: Young's modulus 72 GPa against 45 GPa for Magnesium AZ91D, so the same part in DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Magnesium AZ91D?

For the same stiffness or strength: DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), strong rod or tie; Magnesium AZ91D is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum	Magnesium AZ91D
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	8% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	17% heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	26% heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	lighter	22% heavier
Strong beam	about equal	about equal
Strong panel or plate	10% heavier	lighter

For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).

Which conducts heat better, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Magnesium AZ91D?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum conducts heat better: 110 W/m·K against 72 W/m·K for Magnesium AZ91D.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum expands less: 20 µm/m·K against 25 µm/m·K for Magnesium AZ91D.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density